I wasn't sure where to put this, so sorry if I put it in the wrong area!
Anyhow, a while back I purchased an aquacube for my cats, since they seem to be crazy for running water. We had a water bowl, always clean and filled, but if we ran the tap anywhere, both would be running for it and drinking the drops of water left. They love the fountain, but still sneak drinks from the faucets every now and then.
Anyhow, my problem is... I clean my aquacube every week, since I change the filter every week as well I decided to just get it out of the way. This time around, there was SO MUCH of this rust-red slimy gunk within the actual pump. It was disgusting! I have no idea if it's algae or mold or what! I scrubbed it out with scalding hot water and soap and then let it soak in bleach that was extremely diluted with water (the site said to do this -- but I only put in a few drops, I didn't want my cats getting sick from any left over residue I'm a worry wart!). After scrubbing it out again and rinsing it a million times to make sure any traces of bleach were gone , I got all the red gunk out, but my question is... what is it! And how did it get in there?! Is it harmful to my cats?
They both haven't been acting sick or anything; they're their normal, perky selves. Since I found it, I've been keeping an eye on them, but they're being rowdy and playful as usual.
Either way, it had a smell I can only describe as smelling faintly like bologna and I was totally freaked out by seeing it. Is there any way to prevent it from happening again?
Anyhow, a while back I purchased an aquacube for my cats, since they seem to be crazy for running water. We had a water bowl, always clean and filled, but if we ran the tap anywhere, both would be running for it and drinking the drops of water left. They love the fountain, but still sneak drinks from the faucets every now and then.
Anyhow, my problem is... I clean my aquacube every week, since I change the filter every week as well I decided to just get it out of the way. This time around, there was SO MUCH of this rust-red slimy gunk within the actual pump. It was disgusting! I have no idea if it's algae or mold or what! I scrubbed it out with scalding hot water and soap and then let it soak in bleach that was extremely diluted with water (the site said to do this -- but I only put in a few drops, I didn't want my cats getting sick from any left over residue I'm a worry wart!). After scrubbing it out again and rinsing it a million times to make sure any traces of bleach were gone , I got all the red gunk out, but my question is... what is it! And how did it get in there?! Is it harmful to my cats?
They both haven't been acting sick or anything; they're their normal, perky selves. Since I found it, I've been keeping an eye on them, but they're being rowdy and playful as usual.
Either way, it had a smell I can only describe as smelling faintly like bologna and I was totally freaked out by seeing it. Is there any way to prevent it from happening again?